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TRAVELLERS living in Shannon are poised to be allocated space to keep their horses, following an agreement by councillors last week.

Shannon area members of Clare County Council agreed in princi- pal with a proposal that the issue be progressed, in that land should be made available to Travellers for the ZNODUOOTAN ESE

The initiative is part of a plan to improve the quality of life for travel- lers, under the programme ‘Strategy for the co-ordination of public serv- ices to the Traveller community in OE TroA0 Oe 0 OTe

Director of Services at Clare Coun- ty Council (Community and Enter- prise) Tom Coughlan explained the background to the idea.

‘Traditionally, Travellers have kept horses, but traditionally they would have had nowhere to keep them. That has been a point of conflict. We are looking at the possibility of leasing land to Travellers so they can keep their horses on the land,’ said Mr Sree

“We have to identify land owned by the council, which we can lease to Travellers. It has been raised as an issue by the Travellers themselves,” he added.

A number of Travellers live in Bal-

lymurtagh, Shannon, and the council is hopeful that suitable land will be found for the horses, as near to the houses as possible.

“We will try and come up with the most suitable land. We will progress it and see 1f the land is suitable,” said Mr Coughlan.

The decision taken by the council- lors last week gives the council the go-ahead to make efforts to secure the land. The size of the land will depend on the number of horses the travellers hope to keep there and the land will be leased to them.

This proposal regarding land for the horses arose as a consequence of the strategy, which stated that it would

“establish mechanisms to identify rentable land adjacent to Traveller accommodation’. In that, Travellers identified a need to rent land to allow for grazing of horses and for the care of valuable sulkie ponies.

It was suggested that as the request coming from the group was broad- based and could be difficult or take time to effect, the feasibility of run- ning a pilot project in Shannon would be investigated.

In June, a subgroup of the Accom- modation Actions group met with representatives of the Tralee Com- munity Horse Project, to gain an in- sight into how this particular project is organised and managed.

A MEMBER of the Kilrush-based Western Yacht Club has been hon- oured by Limerick County Council for his achievement in becoming the first Irish winner of the 608- mile Rolex Fastnet Yacht Race last month.

At a civic reception on Monday, Limerick-based property developer Ger O’Rourke received the local authority’s highest accolade for his achievements aboard his yacht Chief- tain, which were rated as the best ma- rine sporting successes of last year. The managing director of Chieftain Construction, who remains heav- ily involved with the Western Yacht Club, was named as Cork Dry Gin

Sailor of the Year earlier this year. He also won his class in the famous Sydney to Hobart race in Christmas PAU Oey

His remarkable run of success con- tinued last month when he and his crew were awarded the Fastnet Chal- lenge Cup and a Rolex Yachtmaster timepiece following their win in one of toughest offshore sailing races in eomUZeu (en

Speaking at the civic reception, Limerick County Council chair- man, Cllr Kevin Sheahan, said Ger O’Rourke’s success further enhanced Limerick’s proud sporting tradition and ability to compete at the top level nationally and internationally.

“Winning this tough event is, for sailors, like an Irish success in the

rugby or soccer world cup. Ger’s victory in the toughest of weather conditions resulted in a new page of sporting history being written. For the first time in the history of the Fastnet Yacht Race, which began in 1925, the name of an Irish boat is on that famous British trophy.

“The victory is especially signifi- cant considering Ger’s 50ft Cookson yacht was only given clearance to compete 48 hours before the event began. It must also be noted that of the 300 boats that started the race, less than 60 finished,” explained the Cathaoirleach.

A BUDDING author from north Clare was last week nominated and short-listed for the most prestigious prize in literature in Ireland today. Micheal de Barra, who hails from Kilfenora, is one of just five writers short-listed for this year’s Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge Adult Book of the Year prize for his book An Bothar go SY-eLe Ee rexey

Micheal was born and raised on the outskirts of Kilfenora, an area he considers his ‘spiritual home’ but is currently living in Kildare with his wife Siobhan.

Having spent a number of years as a primary and secondary school teach-

er in both Ireland and Argentina, An Bothar go Santiago is Micheal first prose work.

An Bothar go Santiago tells the story of Micheal’s experiences along the pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Europe’s most famous pilgrim walk.

The camino or path begins in France and ends in Spain, covers 900 kilometres, and is a real challenge for any walker who attempt it.

Besides An Bothar go Santiago, de Barra is also researching a book on the notable Irish figures who went to Argentina between 1500 and 1900 under the working title “Gaeil 1 dTir na nGauchos’. ;

Micheal will take on Liam O Muirt-

hile (Sanas), Eoin Mac Lochlainn and Ciaran O Coigligh (Aiséiri/Req- uiem), Séamus Ennis (Mise an Fear Ceoil) and Brian O Conchubhair (Gearrscéalta Ar Linne)

Leabhar na Bliana 2007 is a unique literary competition, focusing main- ly on excellent publishing standards, while also acknowledging the sig- nificant role of the authors.

Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge and Oire- achtas na Gaeilge organise this event on an annual basis and this year’s winners will be announced at the O1- reachtas na Gaeilge festival in West- port on November 2.

“In presenting these awards, Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge manages to ad- vance the various aspects of our

mission statement – to sustain Irish- language writing, publishing and reading,’ said Aedin Ni Bhroin, D1- rector, Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge.

‘This is a great opportunity to in- form the general public of the wide range of excellent Irish-language books available, as well as giving well-earned recognition to the dif- ferent publishers and writers.”

Meanwhile, the prize for the young readers Book of the Year will be contested by Biddy Jenkinson (An Bhanrion Bess agus Gusai Gaimbin), Laoise Ni Chomhrai (Ag Taisteal le Tarlach sa tSeapain), Dermot Som- ers (Buaic) and Caitriona Nic Sheain and Andrew Whitson (Gaiscioch na Beilte Uaine)

THE county’s roads have claimed their ninth life this year as a 75-year- old woman was knocked down and killed as she crossed the road at Dar- ragh, outside Ennis, on Sunday.

Mary McGuane died after she was struck by a motorbike about five miles outside Ennis, on the main En- nis/Kilrush road, at around 12 noon.

Emergency services and family members arrived at the scene within minutes but efforts to resuscitate Ms McGuane failed and she died later at Ennis General Hospital.

The driver of the motorcycle, who hails from Ennis and who was travel- ling in the direction of Kilrush, was unhurt in the collision.

Itis believed Mrs McGuane was on

her way to visit neighbours and was crossing the road when the accident Clee u Keren

A widow, she was due to celebrate her 76th birthday next month. Her husband ‘Tom passed away I1 years ago. She is survived by four daugh- ters Chris, Anne, Margaret and Bridget, son Michael, son-in-laws Kieran (McNamara), Michael (Ryan) and David (Bradley) and several grandchildren.

She was born into a farming fam- ily in Darragh and lived there all her Tate

‘“She’s crossing that road since she was a child. The odds are she was going visiting when the accident took place,” a family member told

THE economic slowdown triggered by the downturn in the construction industry in Clare will last until 2010 unless an improvement comes about in the next three months.

That’s the view of Paddy Kenneal- ly, Head of the Clare Plasterers Un- ion, who claims that no major con- struction projects have started in the county since the beginning of this year and that hundreds are already unemployed or leaving the industry.

This sentiment is reflected in a new

study released by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) which shows a massive drop in new building jobs.

According to the latest ESRI statis- tics, the number of construction com- panies reporting vacancies halved between July and August to just five per cent. This is the lowest level of vacancies ever reported by ESRI, or around one third of the new jobs cre- ated in August of 2006.

“Things are definitely going in the wrong direction. There are no new estates starting up and a lot of the

smaller companies have no work at all,” said Mr Kenneally.

“Some people have already gone abroad. The roofers have been hurt very badly with a lot of people leav- ing the trade altogether. There is a lot of undercutting going on in that sec- tor already which shows that compa- nies are getting very desperate.

“As for the plasterers, Clare is being overwhelmed with plasterers com- ing down from Galway looking for work here. That is bad news for the local plasterers but it also shows that things are bad in Galway as well.”

The construction industry is Clare’s largest single employment sector, with between 11,000 and 13,000 em- ployed in the county.

“It’s hard to tell how long this situ- ation will continue on for. We will know more by Christmas or the springtime what the long-term out- look will be.

“With no new projects starting for the last few months, there will be a knock-on effect for two or three years in the sector,’ continued Mr Kenneally.

“It is really hitting the people work-

ing in the sector. These people have mortgages and car loans the same as anyone else and they are going to be in real trouble if things don’t im- KO) (one

In a separate survey, the ERSI re- ports that employers in the construc- tion industry continued to be nega- tive about future employment levels in the sector. The ERSI’s Net Em- ployment Expectations indicator for August was minus 10 per cent. This means that 10 per cent more employ- ers expect to cut jobs than those ex- pecting to increase jobs.

ST COLMAN’S Church in Gort will be the venue for a_ special charity concert which will bring together the talents of the Gort based Coole Voic- es and the legendary Lismourahaun Singers for the very first time.

The concert, which is in aid of the Tractors for Africa Project, will unite two of the regions most talented vo- cal groups for an evening of heavenly singing

Coole Voices was started in 2002 by Katharina Baker, a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm and founder of the Coole Music School. The Lismourahaun was founded by Archie Simpson and

has gained national and international renown in recent years because of the quality of their method and per- formances.

All proceeds from the evening will go towards the provision of a tractor, to aid in the construction and mainte- nance of a Christian Brothers school in the Zambian village of Kasama.

“T went to Africa to visit a friend of mine a year ago. Out there I met with the White Fathers and a Christian Brother called Brother Dominic. He was sent out there by the Christian Brother to set up schools. All he had with him was what he was able to carry himself,” said Pat Canavan of the Tractor for Africa Project.

“He had a group of blocklayers

from Waterford who built a shed for him for the school. But he said that if I was able to get him a tractor that it would be a great help to him.

“When I got back in Ireland I came across a guy who was repairing old tractors. He had a small tractor, a Massy Ferguson 135 I think, and he agreed to give me the tractor and I told him I would pay him something KOvms DOO som ab ine I Rone

There are many children orphaned in this area of Africa due to the Aids epidemic and other diseases. These children depend on education as a means of living a happy and full Tate

A friend of Mr Canavan arranged for the tractor to be transported to

Zambia where it will now be used for essential building work and farming.

‘They have no machinery out there whatsoever,’ continued Mr Canavan. “They have to do almost everything by hand. When the tractor arrived in the shipping container they had no way of taking it off the lorry. So they had to tie the container to a big tree and slowly drive away. That was the only way of getting it off the truck.”

The concert takes place on October 6. Tickets, at a cost of €15, are avail- able from the post office in Gort or on the door on the night.

THE man most closely identified with the €19 million Ennis Informa- tion Age Town prize admitted this week that expectations were built to a level that could never be attained.

Ten years ago today, the country’s newspapers carried photos of TJ Wa- ters and his Task Force celebrating Ennis’s historic win.

Reflecting on the project’s legacy, Mr Waters admitted that the local Task Force built expectations to a level that they could never attain.

Census statistics now show that En- nis has been eclipsed by Shannon in terms of homes that own a PC, while almost half of Ennis homes have no access to the internet.

Assessing the project’s impact, Mr Waters said, “Ennis will always

be remembered as Ennis Informa- tion Age Town and we certainly got international acclaim and we will never see the like of it again. It was important for us at the time.”

He also said that the project should run over three years. The failed pri- vate IT venture that came out of the (LAT) prize was finally wound up in 2005 — eight years after Ennis won the prize.

PVE been spoiled for choice in re- cent weeks having had the pleasure of testing two very classy Audi mo- tors.

After a week in the Audi A4, I then got to drive the truly massive A6 all- road 2.7 TDI Tiptronic quattro. The black A4 was a classy looking mo- tor, but the silver A6 was just sheer luxury.

“You wouldn’t mind being stuck in Dublin traffic in a car like that.”’ That was the reaction I got from a salesman in a South Dublin garage, a garage that does not specialise in Audi cars.

For me that was some praise com- ing from a competitor, but that was his honest reaction after sitting in and experiencing the comforts of the AO.

When you do sit in it definitely is comfortable. I have often said before that the first thing you do in an au- tomatic is forget about your left leg. Otherwise you will find your fore- head rapidly come in contact with the windscreen as you press what you think is the clutch.

So you just sit back, wait for those lights to turn green and just glide away. If you want speed then the 2.7 engine will ensure that you ‘jump away’ from the lights. And all that power is brilliant when overtaking.

Audi say that the A6 allroad is aimed at people who like horse rid- ing, field sports enthusiasts and those

whose lifestyles have a distinctly off- road dimension.

OW eK rwa Ul eu mcmoree) (CM UbKOr:(OMRVol NE cle. In this model the number plate has been repositioned higher up on the grille to prevent it being ripped away by sharp inclines. Other design features include: beefier bumpers,

bigger door mirrors, flared wheel arches and stainless steel under-body protection.

Externally it doesn’t look like an off-road motor and the only clues are the two roof-bars. It’s a beautiful station-wagon type of car, but I don’t think I would like to risk any damage

to this expensive car by taking it off- road. If I really had to go off-road I think I would probably prefer a 4×4 OS MSO)ONLSLVODNOTMM UIA OMEN OUESA Ooo mmOlU RANTS position.

In the cabin you feel like an air- plane pilot as you select the radio controls which are ideally located in

a console between the driver and the front seat passenger. So if your front seat passenger wants to choose the ra- dio station/cd that she/he wants then the controls are very user friendly for them also.

Naturally the boot is absolutely huge and is capable of carrying any extra items you could think of. It’s a very long motor, but parking sen- sors are provided and they are very useful. When you do park the lights stay on for approximately a minute to allow you get in your front door or if in town, maybe find that parking aloe

Prices for the 2.7 start at E69,440. The optional extras which included leather seats, bluetooth phone, cruise control, heated front seats, sunroof and parking sensors, brought the price of the test car up to E80,934. That’s a lot of money and in an ideal world it would be nice to get your employer to buy one for you. Howev- er, if you keep an eye on the second hand market you could well pick up a bargain. The chances are that the car has been well looked after.

Audi sponsor several sporting events in Ireland each year including the Audi Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh on Derby weekend where they showed off their latest models to an appreciate audience.

THE students of Mary Immaculate Secondary School in Lisdoonvarna last week presented the Stella Maris day care centre with a cheque for €5,500 – the proceeds of a very unu- sual charity marathon.

Earlier this year, the students of the school took part in a day long Sports Marathon, organised by the school’s fifth-year students.

“It was part of out LCVP exams in fifth year. We spoke to Mr Sims and Mr Harrison about what previ- ous years had done and we decided it would be good to run a Sports Marathon,’ said Ciana Garrihy from

Doolin.

“We handed out a questionnaire to all the students to see which sports were the most popular.

“We then printed up cards for all the students to raise money for the Stella Maris.

“We decided on the Stella Maris because it is something that effects everyone in the area. It’s local and they wanted to raise money for a Sec- ond bus to bring more people to the Conlsione

The school was divided into teams, each representing a local area. In the end, the bragging rights went to the Kilfenora team, who won the most points during the marathon.

“We decided that we would play volleyball and soccer. Each game was half an hour long, half the school played football in the morning at the pitch while the rest played volleyball in the school,” said Sean Cormican from Lisdoonvarna.

“Halft-way through we got a free bus from Peter Mooney and swapped around. Everyone really got into it and the teachers played a big part. They reffed the matches for us and helped out a lot.”

Along with scoring points for their performance in the marathon, each team was also awarded a point for every €5 raised for the Stella Maris. Third year student, Michael Griffey,

was the top earning student, raising more than €300 from his sponsor- ship card.

“We had a points system in place. The school was split into six different teams and awarded points depending on how they got on in the matches,” said Laura Sims.

‘But as well as that, each student got a point for his or her team for every €5 raised for the Stella Maris.”

School principal, John O’Loughlin congratulated all the students who took part.

“Projects like this are wonderful. They show a community spirit which is wonderful thing for a mercy school to have,” he said.

THE Samaritans would be better off coming to Lisdoonvarna in October or November rather than during the month of September when there is no loneliness in the Spa town.

That’s the view of matchmaker, Willie Daly who was responding to the Samaritans’ initiative of hav- ing 20 Samaritan volunteers at Lis- doonvarna over the weekend to offer emotional support to those who are ‘unlucky in love’.

Billed as the largest singles event in Europe, the month-long Matchmak- ing Festival is in full swing, with dancing starting every day at llam and continuing deep into the night.

Samaritan volunteers kept a round- the-clock presence in the Square in the north Clare Spa town from Fri- day until 3am Sunday morning.

Explaining the initiative, Samaritan Festival Group Co-ordinator, Teresa Bell explained that some people who attend the festival may have high expectations of finding their match,

only to be left disappointed.

“Coming to the festival in the hope of finding a ‘match’ can often end in disappointment.

“Expectations can be high and if there are other emotional issues in a person’s life prior to coming to Lis- doon, then they can quickly resurface and change the mood very quickly.”

However, matchmaker Willie Daly said that “the Samaritans would be better off coming when the festival is over, as people will then be missing the unique September atmosphere,

rather than when there is no loneli- ness in the town. Hats off to them. I think it is a marvellous idea that the Samaritans are coming to Lisdoon- varna, but here, no one goes home disappointed during the month of September. There is an absence of loneliness here during the month.” Asked if he had made any match- es this year, he said, “I matched up a couple there on the first weekend and the woman got back to me to say that they are already talking about marriage, so that makes my job

easy to do. I believe that the eligible Irish man is an endangered species, because you have all these women coming from overseas, including the European countries, seeking them out and there is not enough of them. As the song goes, ‘Nobody Loves Like An Irish Man’.”

Willie revealed that a number of very wealthy US women are due in Lisdoonvarna “looking for an ordi- nary Irish man, because they hear that Irish men are good lovers and very good characters”.